Frost dates for 29532Darlington, SC
The average last spring frost in Darlington is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 8 | 202 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 30 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 18 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 17 · Dec 6 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Darlington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29532 is matched to the NOAA station Darlington, SC, 0.3 km away, at 150 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington, SC (used) | 150 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Florence 8 Ne, SC | 120 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 10 |
| Florence Rgnl Ap, SC | 146 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
| Hartsville, SC | 185 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Darlington
- Darlington, SC 29540 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Florence, SC 29502 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Society Hill, SC 29593 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Hartsville, SC 29550 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Lydia, SC 29079 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Timmonsville, SC 29161 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Effingham, SC 29541 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Lamar, SC 29069 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Darlington, SC?
- For ZIP code 29532, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Darlington, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Darlington, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29532?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.